DEBENHAMS has revealed the fate of its stores in Cumbria.

The department store chain has named 22 of the 50 stores it plans to close next year.

The retailer, which employs 25,000 people nationwide, says a total of 1,200 staff will be affected by the first phase of its rescue plan.

The stores in Carlisle, Workington, and Barrow have been saved from closure and will remain open for now.

Outside of the county, its store in Dumfries will also remain open.

It follows news earlier in the month that lenders to Debenhams took control of the company in a deal which wiped out the investments of its shareholders.

Terry Duddy, Debenhams executive chairman, said: "Debenhams has a clear strategy and a bright future, but in order for the business to prosper, we need to restructure the group's store portfolio and its balance sheet, which are not appropriate for today's much changed retail environment.

"Our priority is to save as many stores and as many jobs as we can, while making the business fit for the future."

The stores set to close in 2020 are:

  • Altrincham
  • Ashford
  • Birmingham Fort
  • Canterbury
  • Chatham
  • Eastbourne
  • Folkestone
  • Great Yarmouth
  • Guildford
  • Kirkcaldy
  • Orpington
  • Slough
  • Southport
  • Southsea
  • Staines
  • Stockton
  • Walton
  • Wandsworth
  • Welwyn Garden City
  • Wimbledon
  • Witney
  • Wolverhampton